Spina Bifida is a type a neural tube disease that causes a developing fetus's spine to not properly close. When the neural tube does not close the backbone that protects the spinal cord and nerves are at risk for exposure  causing damage. This damage can later lead to serious physical and intellectual disabilities to a child varying from a wide range of mild to severe. The severity of the disease depends on (1) the size and location of the opening and (2) how affected the spinal cord and nerves. Based on each of these characteristics Spina Bifida has been classified into 3 types; Myelomeningocele (sounds like: my-low-ma-nin-jo-seal), Meningocele (sounds like: ma-nin-jo-seal, and Spina Bifida Occulta (sounds like: o-cult-tuh). To read more about each of these please visit the  Center for Disease Control'd (CDC) Spina Bifida  Homepage. 

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Lamin Keita at one month old.

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(1) the size and location of the opening and (2) how affected the spinal cord and nerves. Based on each of these characteristics Spina Bifida has been classified into 3 types; Myelomeningocele (sounds like: my-low-ma-nin-jo-seal), Meningocele (sounds like: ma-nin-jo-seal, and Spina Bifida Occulta (sounds like: o-cult-tuh). To read more about each of these please visit the  Center for Disease Control'd (CDC) Spina Bifida  Homepage. 

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Diagnosis & Prevention

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Spina Bifida can be diagnosed during pregnancy using various prenatal screening methods. These methods include blood test to screen for alpha-fetaprotein (AFP), ultrasound, and amniocentesis. However, in some cases Spina Bifida may not be detected until after pregnancy, in which, a number of imaging scans such as  CT, X-ray, or MRI may be used. To learn more about the various test please visit the CDC's Spina Bifida Homepage.

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Although, there is no clear cause to Spina Bifida, studies have shown that there are ways to reduce the risk. Our organization seeks to educate women who are pregnant on those methods in order to possibly prevent Spina Bifida such as 400 mcg of daily folic acid consumption post and during pregnancy. 

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In  addition to education we want to provide babies living in the Gambia and other African nations with the financial support to get the surgeries needed after a child is born with Spina Bifida to close the any openings in the infant's spine as well as provide the with shunt placement and medications. Although every child's needs may vary, by providing the resources, financial support, and life-changing surgeries we hope to save the life of babies with Spina Bifida one baby at a time. Please join us in our mission!

 

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Source: Center for Disease & Prevention: What is Spina Bifida? Accessed 7/17/2020